Kiwi Owens claims World Open again
HONG KONG -- Carol Owens of New Zealand was crowned world squash champion for the second time on Saturday in Hong Kong, then hinted that she might retire at the top.
The current world number one beat England's Cassie Jackman 3-9, 9-2, 9-7, 9-3 in 53 minutes to repeat her success in the 2000 championship.
'I didn't think I would win another World Open title. If I'm to end my career, this would be a nice way to finish," the 32-year-old Australian-born Owens said.
"I like the idea of going out at the top. But while I would have loved to make an announcement tonight, I will wait until I get back home and talk to people in New Zealand," she said, adding she expected to make a decision in two weeks.
Owens came back strongly after losing the first game to Jackman.
But Jackman showed plenty of fight as she took a 6-1 lead in the third game. But her fightback suffered a setback when she was accidentally hit by a wicked backhand volley from Owens leading 7-3.
"That blow unsettled me and it took me a couple of points to get back," said Jackman.
By then Owens had fought back and closed the gap. She drew level at 7-7, and then converted her second game ball to win the game.
It was Owens all the way in the fourth game. She took a 7-0 lead, before wrapping the match up on an error from Jackman to convert her first championship point.
"I didn't play too many bad rallies. But she played a few good ones too," conceded fourth-seed Jackman, who had been hoping herself to add a second World Open title to the one she had won previously in 1999.
